Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his eyes scanned the stands as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anthem Tuesday before what he, and everyone, knew might be the last match of his career, a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.
The 38-year-old Spaniard was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the opening singles match.
Nadal had won his previous 29 Davis Cup singles matches.
Later, No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain goes up against No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
If the best-of-three-match series is tied 1-1 after singles, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers will meet Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in doubles to determine which team advances to the semifinals.
WATCH l Highlights from Nadal’s last Grand Slam win, in Paris:
Spaniard Rafael Nadal defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in Paris to win his record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title.